WJPA Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. national soccer team advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup despite the absence of injured forward Christian Pulisic with a 2-0 victory over Australia. A deep U.S. roster overcame Pulisic’s absence to clinch a knockout berth after only two matches for the first time. Pulisic missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury. The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline by Folarin Balogun led to an own-goal. Alex Freeman gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute. Freeman headed in a deflected shot for his first career World Cup goal.